Langevin Applauds House Approval of Climate Change Language in the NDAA

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congressman Jim Langevin (D-RI), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, joined a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers in rejecting, by a vote of 185 to 234, an amendment from Congressman Scott Perry (R-PA) to strike Langevin’s language recognizing climate change as a national security threat in the Fiscal Year 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

“Today, the House of Representatives took an important step in acknowledging the reality of climate change and the need to prepare for its effects on our national security,” said Langevin, a member of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition. “Leaders in our military and intelligence communities have repeatedly warned that rising sea levels, melting Arctic ice, and destabilizing resource shortages will materially change the environment in which our service men and women will operate. It is our responsibility as policymakers to support our warfighters by examining ways to mitigate these dangers and evaluating the costs associated with them. The bipartisan support that my language has received clearly demonstrates the resolve of the House to put national security above petty political struggles, and I am deeply grateful to the many Republicans who broke ranks with their party to support this commonsense measure.”

Langevin’s climate change amendment was adopted by voice vote during mark-up of the NDAA in the House Armed Services Committee on June 28. The amendment directs the Secretary of Defense to provide an assessment of and recommendations to mitigate vulnerabilities to the top 10 most threatened military installations in each Service. It also requires the Secretary to address combatant commander requirements resulting from climate change over the next 20 years.